Improving Educator Quality State Grant Program: 2011-2012 Grants

The Improving Educator Quality State Grant Program awards grants to partnerships that deliver research-based professional development programs to P-12 teachers. To be eligible, a partnership must include a postsecondary institution’s school of arts and sciences and its teacher preparation program, as well as at least one high-need local school district. The program enables states to fund training for teachers and administrators in any core academic subject.

Morehead State University: $149,998

Increasing College Readiness Through Assessment Led Instruction in Middle and High School Classrooms – Year 2

Krista Barton, principal investigator

In the second year of this project, Morehead State University, in collaboration with Berea College, proposes to improve college readiness skills among middle and high school students in all content areas as a result of increased reading comprehension and the processing of written information. The project will identify students in need of accelerated learning through rigorous and scientifically researched assessment practices to make appropriate content-based interventions or referrals for assistance in reading instruction. These students will be assisted through the implementation of research-based instructional methods for teaching reading comprehension embedded in content instruction. The project will integrate EPAS professional development to assist teachers in providing intervention for students in need of accelerated learning.

Morehead State University: $149,972

The Active Math Project: Increasing College Readiness through Hands-On Math Instruction in Middle and High School Classrooms

Krista Barton, principal investigator

Morehead State University, in collaboration with Hazard Community College, will work with approximately 30 middle and high school math and math-collaboration special education teachers to fully integrate the Common Core Standards in ways that assist teachers in providing intervention in math for students in need of accelerated learning. This program will identify the students in need of intervention, implement instructional practices for teaching algebra with a focus on depth of knowledge in algebraic concepts, and fully integrate assessment for learning models and strategies for teachers. This project has been selected by the Council staff as eligible for renewal for a second year based on adequate progress in the first year.

Murray State University: $92,775

Empowering Teachers to Develop Digital Contents

Yuejin Xu, principal investigator

Murray State University, in collaboration with Western Kentucky University, will offer professional development that empowers teachers to develop core academic standards-based digital content in language arts and mathematics for students in need of accelerated learning. Through intensive summer training and online mentoring throughout the school year, participating teachers will gain insight into the new Common Core Standards, create best practices that meet the standards in language arts and mathematics, and transform those best practices into sustainable digital content for delivery.

Northern Kentucky University: $145,000

Certifying World Language Teachers for Kentucky – Year 2

Tom Leech, principal investigator

In the second year of this project, Northern Kentucky University, in collaboration with Thomas More College, proposes to offer an intensive scholarship-based Option 7 summer institute to prepare 15 qualified candidates for certification as world language teachers in Kentucky. The project will serve individuals already teaching world languages in Commonwealth schools with limited or emergency certification, as bilingual aides, and as substitute teachers, as well as those with the appropriate academic degrees and language proficiency who wish to teach but who did not or cannot pursue traditional paths to teacher certification. The project includes six weeks of graduate instruction, a week of immersion in a world language day camp, and a series of embedded follow-up activities, observations, and mentorship.

University of Kentucky: $125,176

Literacy + Numeracy = Exponential Learning – Year 2

Ann Eads, principal investigator

In the second year of this project, the Collaborative Center for Literacy Development at the University of Kentucky, in collaboration with Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, proposes to increase 5th to 12th grade student access to and comprehension of mathematics texts and content material for accelerated learning. This project will provide professional development for up to 45 upper elementary, middle, and high school mathematics teachers. Teachers in four rural districts will be grouped into professional learning communities to further support and extend their learning using both face-to-face meeting and an online community of practice.

University of Kentucky: $150,000

Special Education Math Cadre

Kimberly Zeidler-Watters, principal investigator

The University of Kentucky, in collaboration with Morehead State University, will provide content and strategies for teachers to facilitate and develop effective classroom experiences for their students. The content focus will be on developing a deeper understanding for the teachers on number concepts as they relate to success in algebra necessary for special needs students so they are prepared for and can be successful in algebra courses. The proposal will target 60 regular and special education middle and high school mathematics teachers. This project has been selected by Council staff as eligible for renewal for a second year based on adequate progress in the first year.

University of Kentucky: $150,000

Preparing All Students for Success: Career and College Readiness

Kimberly Zeidler-Watters, principal investigator

The University of Kentucky, in collaboration with Western Kentucky University, will tie together important elements of Senate Bill 1 (2009) and Senate Bill 130 (2006) to help 60 teachers focus on integrating the Common Core Standards into preparation for the ACT EPAS exams in grades 8, 10, and 11. In particular, this project will focus on literacy and language arts components of these standards and assessments. Specifically, the project will work with teachers to integrate literacy instruction into science classrooms with a focus on improving science achievement as measured by the EPAS exams. This project has been selected by Council staff as eligible for renewal for a second year based on adequate progress in the first year.

University of Louisville: $148,570

Collaborative Teacher Training in Reading/Language Arts

Nicole Fenty, principal investigator

The University of Louisville, in collaboration with Bellarmine University, will provide professional development for 25-30 general and special middle grades educators and instructional coaches. The project is designed to serve all students in reading/language arts including those diagnosed with disabilities. The objectives of the project include increasing teacher knowledge of the Common Core Standards in reading/language arts and facilitating increased use of research-based strategies for instruction and assessment for learning. This project has been selected by Council staff as eligible for renewal for a second year based on adequate progress in the first year.

Western Kentucky University: $150,000

Readers Matter: Common Goals, Core Learning, and Set Standards for Achievement

Pamela Petty, principal investigator

Western Kentucky University, in collaboration with West Kentucky Community and Technical College, will provide an individualized professional development model that ensures integration of the Common Core Standards in content-area instruction and provides for literacy instruction that promotes college and career readiness for students. This professional development is a peer-review process that aids teachers in supporting literacy learners in their classrooms. It relies on goal-setting and self-reflection to help teachers ensure that their classrooms are learning environments that support and develop literacy skills and strategies for learning. This project has been selected by Council staff as eligible for renewal for a second year based on adequate progress in the first year.